§ 31. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the British group of financiers who, in February of this year, applied for the concession of the Dead Sea, salts were prepared to take into the scheme any of the other applicants for the concession; and whether their offer was such as to ensure that the maximum benefits were to be given to Palestine and Transjordania by devoting to them the surplus profits arising from the concession?
§ Captain MARGESSON (Lord of the Treasury)As my right hon. Friend stated yesterday in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Chippenham (Captain Cazalet), he was approached in February last by a firm of chartered accountants acting on behalf of a British group desiring to interest itself in the exploitation of the Dead Sea salts. In their letter to him the firm intimated that the group was prepared to take into its scheme any other applicants for the concession. They also described the group's offer in the terms of the last part of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's question.
Colonel HOWARDBURYWill my hon. Friend ask the Secretary of State whether he is aware that this prolonged delay is playing into the hands of the German monopoly, and cannot he soon come to a decision on the matter, as there are applicants who are already waiting to work this?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYYou want them to clear out of Palestine.
§ Mr. THURTLEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this is really a question for the Palestine Government, and not for the Colonial Secretary?